These Up and Coming Photographers Are Creating Beautiful Work

Sep 04, 2024

A composite image of three photos: Left shows a person with a yellow-green light illuminating their face. Middle depicts people swimming in a hot spring with snow-covered hills and wild horses in the background. Right features an athlete holding a football helmet, posing indoors. — Left to right: Maria Oliveira, Yusuf Eminoglu, and Julia Gunther.

15 photographers have won the 2024 Feature Shoot Emerging Photography Awards and were exhibited in New York City.

The awards for rising stars in photography celebrate the myriad of ways photographers tell stories with creativity and diverse perspectives. This year’s competition featured shooters from all over the world training their lenses on a variety of subject matter.

Winning Projects

Cairo: A Beautiful Thing Is Never Perfect by Jonathan Jasberg captures the vibrant essence of Cairo through street photography to reveal the city’s complexity.

Two men load a cow's head onto the roof of an orange truck at a market. One man stands next to the truck while the other is on top securing the head. Another man sits inside the truck, looking out of the window. The market in the background shows stacked tires. — Jonathan Jasberg

A busy street scene in an urban area under construction. A person in a white headscarf walks by carrying bags. Various vehicles, including a three-wheeler and a scooter, drive past. A cat is near some discarded window panes and debris in the foreground. — Jonathan Jasberg

A cluttered urban scene with old metal cabinets, green and blue, against a worn green wall. A framed photo of a man in uniform hangs on one cabinet. A black and white cat is seen jumping near the photo. Debris and parked cars occupy the foreground. — Jonathan Jasberg

My Mother Speaks of Land as Memory by Ariana Gomez delves into the emotional landscape of displacement, portraying a mother’s longing for her Puerto Rican roots.

A person with short hair wearing a purple shirt is seen from behind standing on an empty road at dusk, holding a long stick across their shoulders. Trees line both sides of the road, and the sky is a blend of soft pink and purple hues. — Ariana Gomez

A desert landscape features dry shrubs and rocks under a dusky sky. In the center, a glowing blue neon cross is perched on a small hill, with a distant mountain in the background. The scenery has a serene and mystical quality. — Ariana Gomez

A rural dirt road stretches into the distance lined with utility poles and trees with autumn foliage. A solitary deer stands in the middle of the road, surrounded by trees and grassy areas under a clear sky with scattered clouds. — Ariana Gomez

Pod Palmami – Under The Palm Trees by Ludwig Nikulski reveals the hidden impact of the Russian war of aggression through images taken along Ukraine’s western borders.

A person in formal attire sits alone at a round table in an elegantly decorated room, surrounded by empty chairs. The space features ornate curtains, floral-patterned upholstery on chairs, and soft, ambient lighting. — Ludwig Nikulski

An unfinished church with a domed roof under construction stands in a barren, sandy area. Building materials, including sand, gravel, and bags, are scattered around. A white car is parked in front of the site, and there is a house in the background. — Ludwig Nikulski

A serene lakeside scene with a calm water surface. The foreground features leafless, slightly bent trees and dry bushes. In the background, the mist partially obscures distant buildings and hills under an overcast sky. — Ludwig Nikulski

Coronal by Gleb Simonov examines the intersection of natural ecosystems and human intervention, challenging traditional notions of a ‘true’ forest.

A wooden bridge supported by tall, intricate wooden beams stretches through a dense forest. Nearby, a large twisted tree with moss-covered branches stands prominently. The surrounding area is lush with greenery, creating a serene natural scene. — Gleb Simonov

An eerie, dense forest scene featuring a group of old, gnarled trees with twisted branches in the foreground. The sky is overcast, casting a somber mood, while evergreen trees populate the background, suggesting rugged, mountainous terrain. — Gleb Simonov

A large tree with a distinctive bend at its base, covered in moss and surrounded by dense forest vegetation. In the background, there is a stack of wooden planks partially obscured by foliage. The scene appears dimly lit, suggesting a forest under heavy canopy. — Gleb Simonov

When Buddah stopped smiling by Chinky Shukla exposes the enduring consequences of India’s 1974 nuclear test in Pokhran. This work is supported by the National Geographic Explorer grant.

Three people standing side by side in a barren landscape at dusk, wearing matching blue patterned outfits and red veils covering their faces. The background features dry ground, sparse vegetation, and a distant tree against a darkening sky. — Chinky Shukla

A leafless shrub stands isolated in a barren landscape under a starry night sky. The scene is dimly lit, creating a moody atmosphere that emphasizes the shrub's stark outline against the dark backdrop. In the distance, faint lights are visible on the horizon. — Chinky Shukla

A person wrapped in a blanket stands in a small pen with numerous sheep and goats. The pen is made from wooden posts and wire fencing. The scene is lit softly, likely by moonlight, and a makeshift structure and tree are visible in the background. — Chinky Shukla

You Have Touched Me, and I Have Grown by Jordan Tiberio is a visual love letter to womanhood, created during a transformative residency in France.

A woman in a long dress stands on a narrow wooden bridge over a small stream, surrounded by dense green foliage and trees. The scene is serene and sunlit, with a mix of shadows and sunlight filtering through the leaves.

A serene countryside scene with an old village and a narrow stream. A person sits on a stone wall, and another stands in the stream, appearing to dance. The sun casts a warm glow, illuminating the greenery and rustic houses that line the waterway.

Three people float leisurely in a serene, natural pond. Their bodies are partially submerged in the calm water, surrounded by lush green grass and vegetation. Sunlight filters through the trees, casting gentle shadows and illuminating the scene.

Bone Foam by Maria Oliveira reflects on how ancestral, bodily, and spiritual connections reveal the cyclical and interconnected nature of life.

Misty forest scene with a large moss-covered rock in the foreground. A pile of yellow fruit is scattered on top of the rock. Bare trees with twisted branches and sparse foliage surround the area, creating an eerie and mysterious atmosphere. — Maria Oliveira

A branch covered in a thick, translucent web resembling a veil, with sunlight filtering through, creating a luminous effect. The background is lush and green, indicating a natural outdoor environment. — Maria Oliveira

A person stands in a dimly lit room with beams of bright yellow-green light shining on them from above. A wooden cabinet with plants on top is seen in the background. The person's expression is contemplative, and the light creates an ethereal atmosphere. — Maria Oliveira

Lemonade – The Duality that is Chronic Disease by Patricia Fortlage celebrates the resilience, beauty, and humor found within the challenges of living with chronic disease.

A still life composition featuring a vase of colorful flowers, a ceramic pitcher, a plate of assorted fruits including apples, grapes, and bananas, medical supplies on a tray, a Sharps container, and an asthma inhaler, all arranged against a dark background. — Patricia Fortlage

A person with shoulder-length hair sits in a wheelchair, facing away from the camera. They wear a hospital gown that is loosely draped, revealing their back. A long pearl necklace hangs down their spine, accentuating a visible surgical scar. — Patricia Fortlage

Patricia Fortlage

I’ve had a dream… by Olga Steinepreis candidly explores the exhaustion and disillusionment of conforming to societal expectations of motherhood.

A young child sits on the floor facing a TV, surrounded by five identical women wearing white shirts and red skirts. Each woman is engaged in different activities, including dusting, cleaning the floor, using a phone, and holding a mop handle pointed at the TV. — Olga Steinepreis

A woman with a stern expression, wearing black pajamas, pours red liquid from a pitcher into a beaker while using a fork to cut a piece of cake. A young child beside her pours orange juice from a bottle into a glass. They are seated at a white table with a gray background. — Olga Steinepreis

A blonde woman stands indoors, holding a young child on her hip, facing a large glass door. Outside, another blonde woman, wearing a brown coat and boots, stands on the grass looking back towards them, next to a wooden fence. — Olga Steinepreis

For the Love of the Game by Julia Gunther gives us portraits of the Queens Football League, the Netherlands’ first all-female American football league.

A person in a blue football uniform sits on an ornate chair in a lavishly decorated room. The room features intricate wood paneling, a richly patterned carpet, and a grand fireplace. A large, classical-style painting of a garden scene adorns the wall behind them. — Julia Gunther

Julia Gunther

A football player stands confidently indoors in front of a detailed tapestry displaying a forest scene. The player, wearing a white and black jersey with the number 24 and black pants, holds a football helmet. An ornate table and candelabra are on the left. — Julia Gunther

The Aquatic Ceremony by Yusuf Eminoglu presents a captivating look at how children in Güroymak, Bitlis, and Türkiye, find joy and warmth amidst the harsh winter.

In a misty, mountainous landscape, several children play in a natural hot spring. One child flips off a submerged buffalo amidst the water. Two horses stand on the shore, one with a rider. The scene captures a moment of joy in a rugged, serene setting. — Yusuf Eminoglu

A black-and-white photo shows a shirtless young boy wading in water beside a large horse adorned with decorative beads and harnesses. The boy has his arm around the horse's neck, and both are partially submerged, with a foggy background. — Yusuf Eminoglu

A group of people playing and swimming in a hot spring surrounded by snowy mountains. Water splashes as one person lifts another on their shoulders, and horses can be seen standing nearby in the background. The scene is in black and white. — Yusuf Eminoglu

No Se Vende by NC Hernández delves into the vibrant and unconventional world of underground female and gay cabaret singers and burlesque performers in Mexico City.

A person stands in an elaborate, metallic silver costume with intricate designs. They wear a large, fan-like headpiece and a gown adorned with various embossed figures and shapes. The background features an ornate, vintage-style wall. — NC Hernández

A woman with wavy gray hair, wearing a red sleeveless top with a heart design, stands against a blue, textured background. She is holding a cigarette near her lips, looking at the camera with a confident expression, and wearing gold earrings. — NC Hernández

A person wearing a black dress and gloves, with a black hat adorned by a ginger cat, poses holding an intricate figurine. The person has their face partially obscured by lace. The background features a worn, greenish wall in a seemingly aged room. — NC Hernández

Notes from the Edge Vol 1 by Antonio Denti captures the essence of a world in flux—where the old norms are giving way to an uncertain future.

A soldier in tactical gear gently places a hand on the shoulder of a young boy in a war-torn urban area. The background shows heavily damaged buildings and rubble, with a foggy or smoky atmosphere. The scene appears reflective and serious. — Antonio Denti

Black and white photo shows a group of people sitting and leaning against a stairwell. Some are deep in thought or looking towards the camera. A man sits alone on the stairs, and another walks past in the background, all within a fenced area. The mood appears contemplative. — Antonio Denti

A man sits at a sewing machine on a narrow street, wearing a tank top and adjusting his hair. He is surrounded by old buildings and wires with a church visible in the background. A patterned fabric is draped over the sewing machine. — Antonio Denti

You must believe in spring by Naohiro Maeda examines the experience of immigration through a unique blend of photography and embroidery.

A faint, ethereal image blends a delicate aerial view of a neighborhood with a textured overlay of raised, small white dots scattered throughout, creating a subtle, dreamy effect. The image has a soft color palette of whites and pale yellows. — Naohiro Maeda

A dreamy winter scene where houses and trees are enveloped in soft, frosty mist. Snowflakes gently rest on the surfaces, creating a serene, ethereal atmosphere. The image has a pastel quality, with hues of white, blue, and hints of green. — Naohiro Maeda

A window, covered in a layer of condensation and raindrops, partially obscures a view of tall, leafless trees and some buildings outside. The scene has a muted, almost ethereal quality due to the blurred glass and diffused light. — Naohiro Maeda

Since 2014, Feature Shoot has helped launch the careers of dozens of photographers worldwide through its Emerging Photography Awards. The Awards recognize emerging photographers from all backgrounds, countries, ages, genres, and walks of life. Photographers are considered emerging if they are not represented by a gallery or commercial agent.

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